UEFA Champions League, Tuesday Preview: Chelsea’s Trip To Moscow The Undercard For Real Madrid-Milan

Chelsea revisit the scene of their fateful Champions League final against Manchester United in 2008, in which John Terry slipped while taking a penalty kick, missing the goal and leaving the London club still without a Champions League title. Spartak Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium already haunts Chelsea, but now that they’ll be playing on artificial turf, the team is reluctant to create more nightmares for their players. Rather than risk its players knees, the Blues left many players behind, and may not play some that made the trip.

That news must be music to Spartak’s ears. The Moscow side has won both of its Champions League matches and looks to take first place in Group F if they beat the visitors. Manager Valery Karpin noted that he needed to “put the handcuffs on” Didier Drogba and Nicholas Anelka, but considering Drogba didn’t make the trip, it seems he’s safe in that regard. If Anelka’s play this past weekend is anything to go on, Karpin shouldn’t be too afraid of the Frenchman, either, but he should probably take the wider view and not discount Chelsea’s top goalscorer.